Woodlands Margaret River Clémentine 2018

This is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant at 58%, with the balance made up of Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. There’s an elegant mineral complexity to start before being quickly folded into a cascade of earthy complexity. Sweet tilled earth, warm gravel, bay leaf, olive tapenade, graphite, roast tomato umami, and gentle plum with some spent campfire ash in the background. There’s a saline note permeating the nose, making it moreish and gastronomic. The palate shows currant, gentle baked plum, olive tapenade, ash and espresso before powerful mocha-drenched tannins firmly grip at the mouth and drive the savoury notes long. The fruit has subsided a little too much, however, making the savoury notes and bitter tannins jut out and feel out of balance. Aromatically interesting, but somewhat evolved on the palate.